Whether visitors come to explore Louisiana’s deep-fried history, looking for a restful weekend getaway, or wanting to listen to some great music, the sleepy town of St. Francisville in Louisiana is worth a visit. The town is only thirty miles from Baton Rouge ( 31.3 miles via US-61 N), but feels like worlds away from the bustling capital city. St. Francisville is said to be the state’s second oldest town and boasts a relaxed, slow-paced atmosphere, making it a perfect place to escape for a weekend of relaxation, but a place that still offers numerous things to do.
Explore The Myrtles
Often referred to as the “most haunted places in America,” The Myrtles in St. Francisville is a popular destination for both history enthusiasts and ghost hunters alike. Visitors can join either a guided private tour or a public group tour of the large house, or choose to do a self-guided tour throughout the grounds.
Tour the Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site
The Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site provides an opportunity to get a personal and up-close look at the lives of the wealthy planters of Louisiana around the year 1834.
See the Oakley Plantation
The Oakley Plantation is located at the Audubon State Historic Site between the towns of Jackson and St. Francisville. The site is where John James Audubon, noted artist and ornithologist, spent a summer in 1821 and the Oakley Plantation is where he lived during that time. The plantation house itself was built back in 1806 and is a great example of the early Anglo-American architectural style of Louisiana.
Visit the Audubon State Historic Site
The Audubon State Historic Site is named after John James Audubon, one of the most revered naturalists of the United States, who was made famous during the early 1800’s for his wildlife paintings.
Explore the Afton Villa Gardens
The Afton Villa Gardens in the laid-back town of St. Francisville, Louisiana is one of the state’s more unique plantations. Named after a gothic antebellum mansions that was destroyed in 1963 by a fire, the gardens span across the more than 20-acre grounds around and on the ruins of multiple historic buildings. This dramatic scenery is often referred to as “the ruins gardens,” and is only one of the Afton Villa’s features. Other parts of the Afton Villa Gardens worth visiting are the family cemetery, the daffodil valley, the oak tree-lined and azalea-filled entrance, and the formal English garden.
9347 Highway 61, St. Francisville, LA 70775, Phone: 225-721-2269
West Feliciana Historical Society Museum
The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum is operated by the West Feliciana Historical Society, which boasts a mission of preserving and promoting the West Feliciana area of Louisiana architecturally, culturally, and historically through stewardship and education. The museum displays numerous exhibits that interpret the history of the local area. It also provides tourist information, guidebooks, and brochures for visitors. The West Feliciana Historical Society in St. Francisville has been housed within a classic gable-front former hardware store, built back in 1895, since 1970.
11757 Ferdinand St, St. Francisville, LA 70775, Phone: 225-635-6330
Hemingbough
Hemingbough iis a center for spiritual awareness and awakening in St. Francisville, as well as a destination for the arts, opera, symphony, and education. The arts facility also hosts a variety of prominent cinematographers, authors, and lecturers throughout the year, in addition to theater other popular entertainment, and private events. The intriguing and spacious grounds are also home to a Greek amphitheater that overlooks Lake Audubon, Greek Revival architecture, fountains, and statuary. The property is designed to provide visitors with a “sense of peace,” and guests may hear or even spot several peacocks on the grounds.
10101 LA-965, St Francisville, LA 70775, Phone: 225-635-6617
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 2000, the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is part of the country’s National Wildlife Refuge System, located just outside of town, about thirty miles away from the city of Baton Rouge. The refuge was created in an effort to “conserve, restore, and manage” the area’s native forest wetland habitats for threatened and endangered animals and plants, aquatic resources, and migratory birds. Recreation activities possible within the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge include hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, paddling, interpretive programs, and fishing. The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was also established to encourage partnerships with conservation organizations and local communities.
St Francisville, LA 70775
